May 12, 2015
Google/StreetView
This image from Google StreetView shows the wall along Olney Avenue that the car initially crashed into to start today's multiple-scene incident. Four officers were injured.
Four Philadelphia police officers were injured Tuesday afternoon after being struck by a fleeing motorist in Olney.
The driver, a man, was ultimately shot by officers, perhaps in the chest, and was in surgery at Einstein Medical Center. The officers, all from the 35th police district, were being treated there as well. All were reported stable.
During a news conference this afternoon, Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross gave the following account:
Police and fire responded to a radio call at 2:17 p.m. Tuesday of a car crashing into a wall in the 900 block of Olney Avenue, near the Fern Rock Transportation Center. On their arrival to the scene, officers tried to remove the male driver from the car. A violent struggle ensued, and the man was able to get back into his maroon-colored car and leave the scene, striking three officers with the vehicle.
The motorist was re-encountered by police at Stenton and Ogontz avenues in West Oak Lane. At that scene another officer was struck by the suspect's vehicle, and at least two officers opened fire on the vehicle, striking the driver.
The driver again fled the scene, before police were able to stop the vehicle in the 1900 block of West Colonial Street in West Oak Lane.
Several pedestrians had to jump out of the way of the speeding car, officials said.
"All of the officers appear OK," Ross said.
Mayor Michael Nutter said he had talked to all four of the officers, who were being treated at Einstein for a back injury and bloody arm, among other injuries. One officer, Nutter said, was in a cervical collar and being taken for a CAT scan.
Check back later for more on this developing story.
